Where are my keys?

Sometimes I think I can handle anything and I usually do.

But, when I lock my keys in the car. With the motor running. With my cell phone in it.

Well, I lose it. Or lost it Thursday at the funeral of my good and wonderful friend Hazel Harris.

I was sitting at the end of second pew in Winnfield Funeral Home. beside mutual pal, Caddo School Board member Dottie Bell.

As the service started, I realized that I didn’t have my keys with me.

Out to the parking lot I ran.

That, of course, is when I realized that the keys were in the ignition.

And, to my horror, the car was running. (Thank, God, of course, that the brake was on and Randi, my RAV4, was in park.)

And, I kept thinking that the car would be ruined as it sat there and roared, calmed down, made clicking noises.)

I knew then that I just couldn’t leave the car out in the parking lot. I knew I would be missing Hazel’s funeral. (More about her and our friendship later.)

I went back inside, retrieved my sunglasses, told Dottie what had happened and borrowed her cell phone.

"You cannot leave," said the attendant at the exit door."

I sat back down.

Briefly.

But, remembering that my car was running, I got up again.

"You cannot leave," said the man, this time a little more forcefully.

Well, I abhor violence and I always bow to authority.

However, this time, I considered pushing the man aside or making a run toward the door.

This time, he added: "You cannot leave while Scripture is being read."

Well, I could accept and respect that.

So I sat.

Finally. Finally. I returned to the parking lot and Randi.

I couldn’t reach Paul.

So, I called my neighbors — who have been through this sort of thing before with me. Bob and Lucile Meredith, rescued me.

Bob found Paul outside weeding the Contemplative Garden.

Lucile calmed me down through the airwaves — or whatever runs cell phones.

When I hung up, I paced the lot — getting as far away from the roaring car as I possibly could and still see it.

Hazel’s friend Edwina T. Drakes stopped to talk.

Paul arrived.

Reassured me that the car was not ruined.

Reminded me that I needed to keep an extra key with me at all times.

Suggested gently I carry my cell phone, with the batteries charged, with me wherever I am. If there was an emergency, I would need it.

As I said, more about Hazel later. But as she looks down from heaven — and I just know she is there — I can see her smiling and shaking her head.

And, maybe she would even say, "Well, Margaret, you handled that pretty well."

But, as sweet as she was — and as organized and unflappable — I am sure she would never understand how in the world something like this could happen!

I don’t really understand it either!

But, it was an adventure...not unusual for me!